Families

Dad's Rock

Early years music-making for Dads and their children.

About

This autumn Evolve Music will launch Dad’s Rock, a unique pilot programme for dads and their children that is targeted at supporting new dads who are struggling with their mental health. Developed in partnership with Bluebell, a Bath-based charity that supports parents with peri-natal depression, and their Dads In Mind service, the programme will provide opportunities for new Dads to come together to socialise and develop vital support networks.

Sessions will incorporate free play with real instruments, and explore music-making through technology, singing, rhythm and games. They will also provide a safe space for dads to connect, share their stories with others and support each other on their journeys.

The number of men who become depressed in the first year after becoming a Dad is double that of the general population (1 in 10) with first time dads being particularly vulnerable. The peak time for postnatal depression in men is three to six months after the birth and as with postnatal depression in mums, it often goes undiagnosed as the symptoms can look a lot like the everyday stresses of having a newborn.

In addition to this, traditionally, most baby and toddler activities are either targeted at mums or tend to have a much higher proportion of mums attending rather than dads. This means that many dads miss out on opportunities to bond with their child away from their partner and there are fewer opportunities for dads to build support networks that could improve their mental health. This programme aims to remove these existing barriers whilst also providing social opportunities for Dads to actively support their own wellbeing.